PHOTO BY BRENNA WHITE / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
FILLING VACANCY … Mayor David Borer swears in new councilman Ryan Borer as he fills the vacant council seat for the Village of Fayette.
By: Brenna White
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
The Fayette Village Council met Wednesday, February 18, 2026, to fill its final open seat. In attendance: Mayor David Borer and council members Suzette Boesger, Katie Colegrove, Brenda Shoemaker, and Kara Bird.
After receiving four letters of interest for the vacant seat, the council immediately entered executive session for discussion of the appointment at 6:03 p.m.
The vacancy was created when Brittany Theis previously moved from council member to serve as the village fiscal officer.
The council returned to open session at 6:18 p.m. and appointed Ryan Borer to the Fayette Village Council. Borer was sworn in and promptly started his term.
The minutes from the January 21, 2026 session, the February 12, 2026 Special Council session, and the February 12, 2026 Committee as a Whole session were approved.
Connie Wagner of the Fayette American Legion joined the meeting to announce a fundraiser event for the local veterans.
Wagner has partnered with Wreaths Across America (WAA), which is a national nonprofit movement that honors fallen service members by placing live wreaths on their grave sites.
She estimates there are as many as 300 to 400 veterans’ graves in the local cemetery. Live wreaths are $17 apiece, and her goal is to cover all service members’ graves in Fayette.
Wagner wanted to spread the word for donations, noting the Legion is accepting checks or online donations through the website. The wreath-laying ceremony is set to take place on December 19, 2026.
Shoemaker announced open board seats for those interested in serving at the Fayette Opera House.
“We really need more people,” said Shoemaker. “If anyone is interested in keeping the arts alive or has ideas, if anyone would be willing to help out in any capacity, we would greatly appreciate it.”
The next Opera House Board meeting is scheduled for March 25, 2026.
The Administrator’s report, given by Bryan Stambaugh, shared updates from the Fulton County Economic Development membership meeting held in Pettisville at Boyer’s Construction.
Executive Director Jim Wyse led the meeting, and updates were provided by the Regional Growth Partnership regarding JobsOhio funding opportunities.
An update on Phase Two of the village’s water infrastructure project was presented, following a pre-construction meeting held at 11:00 a.m. with Arcadis, Bryan Excavating, Maumee Valley Planning Organization, and other representatives.
Bryan Excavating provided a tentative start date of late March for Phase Two, which will include water main work along many Fayette streets.
The streets impacted are as follows: East Industrial, South Lawrence, Joan, George, Fulton, Cynthia, Rehn, Gregory, and Gamble streets, as well as a section of South 66 to Clemensen Investments.
Residents along those streets who are qualified will also receive new service lines similar to Phase One. The estimated completion date for the final phase is August 31, 2026.
Fiscal Officer Brittany Theis recommended several legislative actions as she transitioned into her new role:
-Removal of Richard Bingham from the FOJ Fund account with Sherwood State Bank and adding Joseph Sauber to said account.
-Closing the Payroll Sweep Account with Wesbanco.
Both motions were approved without discussion. A retirement timeline adjustment was additionally approved for the employee handbook.
With no additional business, the Fayette Village Council adjourned at 6:54 p.m.